Petrology and Geochemistry of the Metasediments of the Janub Metamorphic Suite, Southern Jordan: Implications for Geothermobarometry and Economic Potential

Petrographical and geochemical characteristics of the hornfelses and metaconglomerates of the Janub metamorphic suite have been examined to reveal their geothermobarometry and economic potential. The temperature of metamorphism attained by hornfelses ranges between 500oC and 545 °C with an average temperature of 522°C, while metaconglomerate may show a wider range between 300 oC to 600 °C with an average temperature 520 °C. Mineralogy of the metasediments indicates a low pressure type of metamorphism ( 4 Kbar). These conditions correspond to metamorphism equivalent to upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies. The identified opaque minerals are ilmenite, magnetite and titanomagnetite. Sulphides are less abundantand include pyrite, cinnabar, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite.